Just when you think you know everything there is to know about a guy, a story comes along and offers new peeks into both his past and hints about his future.

This time, it’s off-again on-again Republican Tom Tancredo, the former congressman and anti-illegal immigration firebrand who earned two distinctions this fall — he and John Hickenlooper are the two people who pulled in more votes than Republican Dan Maes (Scott McInnis stands as the sole electoral runner-up to Drivin’ Dan); and he introduced many of us to the American Constitution Party for the first time.

Denver businesswoman Linda Alvarado told The Denver Post’s Penny Parker today that she will not be a candidate for Denver mayor.

“Because of current business commitments, I will not be running,” Alvarado told Parker, a business columnist. “I have been inundated by people. I have been contemplating this for several months. …Essentially, I want to thank the people who backed me. I am humbled and honored for their support.”

Political watchers had been speculating for weeks whether Alvarado, owner of Alvarado Construction and a former Qwest board member, would run for office.

Currently, 13 people have submitted mayoral candidacy paperwork. At a candidate forum this week 12 candidates appeared on stage, including Denver Councilman Michael Hancock, Denver Councilwoman Carol Boigon, Denver Councilman Doug Linkhart, former State Senator Chris Romer and Denver Preschool Program Chief James Mejia. Spesal M. Avery Flanagan was the only no-show.

Candidates must submit petitions with 300 signatures by March 9. The mail-in election is May 3 with a runoff on June 7. Campaign finance information for 2010 is due on Monday from all candidates.

Rep. David Balmer must formally apologize at the House microphone and is banned from the Senate floor the rest of the session. (Handout photo)

Rep. David Balmer won’t face a committee inquiry for his behavior toward a senator, but he must formally apologize at the House microphone and he is banned from the Senate floor the rest of the session.

Senate President Brandon Schaffer last night picked the members of a committee to investigate Balmer after his encounter with Sen. Gail Schwartz on a redistricting issue.

But the committee will no longer be needed, Chief of Staff John Cevette said today.

This morning Balmer, R-Centennial, apologized to both Schaffer, D-Longmont, and Morse, D-Colorado Springs, for his behavior.

“He was sincerely apologetic,” Morse said.

A Senate sergeant filed a written notice about what he called a “floor incident with Rep. Balmer.” The sergeant said after the Senate adjourned Wednesday he noticed a man with “no visible identification” making what he called boisterous noise and a lot of hand gestures toward Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village.

Statehouse Republicans are vying to repeal the ‘Amazon tax’ passed last year after a judge this week temporarily blocked it. … Lawmakers remain focused on improving the climate for jobs and the economy, meaning efforts to address water issues may have to wait. … Several bills to tackle illegal immigration have been introduced in the statehouse and more are on the way … Congressman Cory Gardner is going it alone on health insurance. …. And carnivore tendencies dominate the police blotter both in Boulder and up north in Montana.

As always, if you’ve seen a story that I’ve missed, feel free to pass along the link or post it in a comment below.

CLARIFICATION: It turns out a Republican lawmaker did not witness the Balmer exchange. Explanation below.

A House Republican who let a Democrat senator have it faces an investigation, but two years ago no formal action was taken when a similar incident occurred on the Senate floor.

The most recent incident involved Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, who confronted Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, Wednesday over redistricting. Both serve on a special legislative committee formed to redraw congressional boundaries.

House Speaker Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, said he doesn’t have all the facts yet but empaneling a committee to investigate the outburst “is going to make all of our work at the Capitol very difficult.”

Often referred to as Gold Dome High School, the Capitol is a petri dish for hurt feelings, dust ups and behavior lawmakers often regret.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.